Programme

Pelléas et Mélisande

In 1902, inspired by Maurice Maeterlinck's play, Claude Debussy succeeded in creating a masterpiece, a strange lyrical object that was to remain his only completed opera. Pelléas and Mélisande is the tragic story of the fierce Mélisande who, in a distant country of immense sadness, is the wife of Golaud, only to meet and fall in love with his half-brother Pelléas. Debussy found wonderful musical equivalences in a score of restraint, rich in so many echoes.

Alejo Pérez and the Orchestre Philharmonique du Luxembourg will embrace the composer's unusual instrumental combinations and his use of whole tone scales, parallel triads, as well as unorthodox seventh and ninth chords that produce exotic, hot-house sounds giving the work an original musical voice perfectly suited to the play.

Pelléas' role will be performed by South African classical baritone Jacques Imbrailo, and Mélisande by Norwegian soprano Mari Eriksmoen. Debussy's ethereal music, coupled with Maeterlinck's mind games, have challenged many stage directors. The masterful Marina Abramovi? will create the set design for this production. Famous for her performances and installations, she is not someone who is likely to be daunted by the task at hand. Art direction and choreography will be by the renowned Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui and Damien Jalet.